Sports Radio Detroit (SRD) was a Detroit-based internet sports broadcasting and news network covering Detroit's professional sports teams Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers, Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings as well as college and high school sports across the region from 2011-2021.
 | |
| Broadcast area | Worldwide |
|---|---|
| Branding | SRD/Sports Radio Detroit |
| Programming | |
| Format | Sports Talk |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Formerly SRD Productions, LLC |
| History | |
First air date | September 25, 2012 |
Former call signs | LetsGoWingsMedia.com (2011) LetsGoWingsRadio.com (2012) |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | SportsRadioDetroit.com |
History
editEarly history
editSportsRadioDetroit originally began as an independent, experimental podcast series entitled, The Red Line[1] in collaboration with the unofficial Detroit Red Wings site, founded by Mike Morland. The show debuted on the independent website, LetsGoWingsMedia.com on October 31, 2011.[2] The podcast shifted to a permanent home at LetsGoWingsRadio.com in September 2012.[3] It was here that the site continued to flourish during the summer of 2012 and into the NHL lockout in the fall of 2012.
SportsRadioDetroit.com
editWith the potential of a long-term NHL lockout looming for the 2012-2013 season, production of The Red Line podcast series and Letsgowingsradio.com were also anticipating a decrease in content production. As a result of a strong Detroit sports market and few sports radio options, both LetsGoWingsRadio.com and The Red Line were dissolved in favor of a new venture, sportsradiodetroit.com, founded by "The Red Line" and letsgowingsradio.com host and creator, Mike Morland.
The new website, which official launched in the Fall of 2012, featured four independent online sports talk shows featuring the Detroit Lions, Tigers, Pistons and Red Wings. In addition to covering the four major professional sports teams in Detroit, Sports Radio Detroit (SRD) added coverage for soccer in the summer of 2013. With the expanded coverage, additional media personalities and NHL lockout of 2012, SportsRadioDetroit.com was born.
SportsRadioDetroit.com aired its first original broadcast on January 18, 2013 with the first episode of Red Wings SRD. The first live show on occurred on April 25, 2013.[4]
On November 17, 2013, Sports Radio Detroit launched an updated website and introduced its new logo and brand, "SRD" - an update from the previous "Sports Radio Detroit" logo.
In an effort to better connect Detroit sports fans with their favorite athletes and columnists, SRD launched with a variety of interviews, including then Detroit City FC star and former MLS player, Knox Cameron, NFL Linebacker Chris Wilson, Detroit Lions Ndamukong Suh, Windsor Star sports columnist Bob Duff, Hockey Hall of Famer Larry Murphy, Detroit Red Wings center Riley Sheahan and Red Wings prospect Anthony Mantha.
Induction to Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association
editSports Radio Detroit became a member of Detroit Sports Media (formerly the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association)[5] in 2017. On December 7, 2019, Roger Castillo of SRD was announced as a board member of the organization.[6]
Website ceases operation and current use of SRD branding
editOn December 26, 2021, after nearly a decade of operation, it was announced on Twitter that the Sports Radio Detroit website would cease operation and that some of the shows would continue on in various formats.[7] Beginning in 2022, SRD's social media accounts began operating in affiliation with the Detroit Sports Podcast.[8]
Contests
editDetroit March Madness
editBeginning March 16, 2014, Sports Radio Detroit launched the first annual "Favorite Detroit Female Media Personality" contest. The public bracket-style contest highlighted 32 of Detroit's best based on media presence, quality of work and likability.[9] After five rounds of voting, including 13,236 votes in 22 days, Amy Andrews of Fox 2 Detroit was named the 2014 Favorite Detroit Female Media Personality Award recipient.[10] Fox 2 Detroit announced Amy Andrews win during live broadcasts on Friday, April 18 and Monday, April 21, 2014.[11]
On March 16, 2015, the SRD Favorite Detroit Female Media Personality contest returned for its second year. After 22 days and over 350,000 votes,[12] Lauren Podell of WDIV Local 4 was named the winner.[13]
Operation format
editSportsRadioDetroit.com was founded as an independent, non-profit media organization providing an AM/FM sports talk alternative in the Detroit market.
In comparison to traditional AM/FM sports talk stations in Detroit that host several shows a day and encompass all of its professional teams, sportsradiodetroit.com operates under the "one-to-one" sports talk model. Each of Detroit's four professional sports teams (in addition to soccer) have their own independent online podcast/radio broadcast. Although the topics generally revolve around each specific team, the shows also includes topics from the national level within each sport (example: Red Wings coverage also includes NHL-wide topics).
In addition to online radio and podcasts, Sports Radio Detroit delivers traditional digital print content.
Media affiliations
editSports Radio Detroit was a member of Detroit Sports Media, formerly the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association.[14] On December 7, 2019, Roger Castillo of SRD was announced as a board member of the organization.[15]
References
edit- ^ "LetsGoWings.com Podcast Name".
- ^ "LetsGoWings Podcast Debuts October 31, 2011".
- ^ "LetsGoWIngs Podcast moves to LetsGoWingsRadio.com".
- ^ "Lions SRD Live: Thursday, April 25, 7 - 8 p.m. -". 23 April 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ "Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association changes name, revamps brand". Crain's Detroit Business. 2017-07-18. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
- ^ Media, Detroit Sports (2019-12-07). "#DSM Board expands, as do our plans for the future! @rogcast81 @HammerFox2 @Jamie_Edmonds Bobby Keyes, John Topping, & @nealruhl help usher in a new era of the organization! #DreamTeam2020 @FOX2Sports @Local4Sports @FOXSportsDet @GoldenGrizzliespic.twitter.com/cLKGNmQxd3". @TheDSportsMedia. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
- ^ "Sports Radio Detroit ceases operation". Twitter. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021.
- ^ "Detroit Sports Podcast begins Operation".
- ^ "Sports Radio Detroit's - Favorite Female On-Air Media Personality". Archived from the original on 2014-04-08. Retrieved 2014-04-07.
- ^ "Sports Radio Detroit's - Favorite Female On-Air Media Personality". Archived from the original on 2014-04-08. Retrieved 2014-04-07.
- ^ FOX. "Video - WJBK". WJBK. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ "Lauren Podell Named 2015 Favorite Female Media Personality". 10 April 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ "Favorite Female Media Personality 2015: Championship". Archived from the original on 2015-04-17. Retrieved 2015-04-17.
- ^ "Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association changes name, revamps brand". Crain's Detroit Business. 2017-07-18. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
- ^ Media, Detroit Sports (2019-12-07). "#DSM Board expands, as do our plans for the future! @rogcast81 @HammerFox2 @Jamie_Edmonds Bobby Keyes, John Topping, & @nealruhl help usher in a new era of the organization! #DreamTeam2020 @FOX2Sports @Local4Sports @FOXSportsDet @GoldenGrizzliespic.twitter.com/cLKGNmQxd3". @TheDSportsMedia. Retrieved 2020-01-07.